A squishy feeling in your testicles can be normal (like the epididymis tube) or indicate fluid buildup (hydrocele) or cysts, which are often harmless, but it could also signal an infection (epididymitis, orchitis) or even a serious issue like torsion if accompanied by sudden severe pain, so it's important to check for other symptoms and see a doctor for proper diagnosis.
What to look for when checking your testicles. Symptoms to look and feel for include: lumps or swellings on your testicles – your testicles should feel smooth and firm, but not hard.
A cancerous tumor is solid. A cyst may feel soft and squishy, while a cancerous lump is apt to feel firmer. An early-stage tumor caused by cancer may be about the size of a marble, but may grow larger if left untreated.
Five key warning signs of testicular cancer include a painless lump or swelling in a testicle, a feeling of heaviness or unevenness in the scrotum, a dull ache or pain in the testicle/groin, changes in testicle size or shape, and sometimes tender or enlarged breast tissue. Any persistent changes or new growths in your testicles should be checked by a doctor promptly, as early detection improves curability.
Main symptoms of testicular cancer
a lump or swelling in your testicle. your testicle getting bigger. an ache or pain in your testicle or scrotum (the skin that covers the testicles) your scrotum feeling heavy, firm or hard.
Testis cancer is most common in men in their late 20s and early 30s, with an average age of diagnosis of 33 years old.
Starting with one side, gently roll the scrotum with your fingers to feel the surface of the testicle. Check for any lumps, bumps or unusual features. Contrary to what many assume, cancerous tumors typically aren't painful. Make note of any changes in size over time.
Symptoms and Causes
Common symptoms may include: Lumps or bumps under your skin that feel soft or squishy when you touch them. Pain if a large tumor presses on a nerve or organ.
Testicular cancer has a very fast onset. If not detected early, the cancerous tumors can grow rapidly, with the ability to double in size in just 10 - 30 days. Most often, the first symptom of testicular cancer is a lump on the testicle, or the testicle becomes swollen or larger.
If excessive sweating in your testicles is interfering with your daily life, talk to your doctor. The culprit for your excessive sweating may be an underlying health condition that needs to be treated. Your doctor can help you get relief with a prescription, antiperspirant, or lifestyle changes.
Get medical care right away if you have: Sudden, serious testicle pain. Testicle pain along with nausea, fever, chills or blood in the urine.
Bevers shares some of the most common cancer symptoms in men.
Stages of testicular cancer
Stage 1: The cancer is only in the testicle and has not spread to the lymph nodes or other organs. There is a 90–100% cure rate for this stage. Stage 2: The cancer has spread to the retroperitoneal lymph nodes in the back of the abdomen. This stage has an 80–90% cure rate.
Swelling of the scrotum. Abdominal pain. Nausea and vomiting. A testicle that's positioned higher than normal or at an unusual angle.
What are the symptoms of a tumor?
If you find a lump, don't panic. A majority of these are benign, which often feel like a round, smooth rubber ball. Malignant lumps, on the other hand, are irregular, firm and unable to be moved. Understanding how your breast normally feels is essential to finding these lumps early.
Signs and symptoms of sarcoma include:
A testicular cyst is a fluid-filled bump. It usually feels softer. A testicular cancer lump is usually more solid than a cyst. It feels harder to the touch.
Testicular Cancer Diagnosis
A physical examination typically reveals a firm lump (mass) in one of the testicles. When the health care provider holds a flashlight up to the scrotum, the light does not pass through the lump. This exam is called transillumination.
It's common for men to mistake a testicular cyst (also called a spermatocele) for testicular cancer. What is a testicular cyst? A testicular cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops within the testicle. It is usually non-cancerous (benign) and does not spread to other parts of the body.
Overall, current data shows that 95.2% of cisgender men with testicular cancer survive at least five years. Like other solid tumors, those with early-stage disease do better than others with advanced or late-stage cancers.
Stage 0 (Germ Cell Neoplasia in situ)
Germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS) means that there are abnormal cells in the testicle. This is sometimes called stage 0. The cells look abnormal under the microscope.
Signs and symptoms of testicular cancer include:
About 90% of cancers are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, not genetics, including smoking, poor diet (red meat, fried foods), alcohol, sun exposure, pollutants, infections, obesity, and inactivity; only 5–10% are due to inherited genetic defects, with most cancers arising from lifestyle-induced genetic mutations. Tobacco alone accounts for about a third of cancer deaths, while diet, obesity, and inactivity contribute significantly, with controllable factors being key to prevention.